Best Items for a Bachelor Pad Kitchen

Single men (and women) can’t live on take-out alone, and a knowledge of UberEats and Grubhub won’t likely impress potential significant others. Isn’t it time you consider investing in a well-equipped kitchen?

Splurge on a VitaMix blender or fancy glassware if you want, but as a 52-year-old bachelor myself, here are the basic tools any bachelor pad kitchen needs.

Cutting Boards

Plastic or wood? Let the cutting board debate rage on, but I prefer these plastic Gorilla Grip boards. Plastic cutting boards don’t require oiling - unlike wood boards - and trust me on this: Those easy grip handles come in handy for bachelors who are breaking in a new (read: “super sharp”) chef’s knife. Just remember to use a designated board for fruits and veggies and another board for meats.Amazon

Chef's Knife

Speaking of a chef’s knife, this really is absolutely a required tool. One good chef’s knife can basically replace an entire knife set. This 8-inch stainless steel model will cut, dice, slice, chop and even cut meat off a bone (or finger if you’re not careful). Keep this baby sharp and clean, and it’ll last you through bachelorhood and beyond.Amazon

Pre-seasoned Cast Iron Skillet

I assume that if you've lived this long on the planet, you probably already have a good non-stick pan and a pot to boil water in. But what every bachelor really needs is this Lodge cast iron skillet. Yes, buy the pre-seasoned one - you're probably too busy maintaining a man cave and fantasy football league to worry about seasoning a skillet. Use this skillet for every meal - from makings bacon and eggs for breakfast to searing the perfect steak for dinner or even baking cornbread for the office potluck lunch. One last plea: Before you make the same mistake that I did last year, buy the accompanying black silicone handle cover!Amazon

Tablet Stand

You want to cook like Gordon Ramsey or Bobby Flay? You’re going to have to learn how to take direction. Follow along with recipes or cooking tutorials by putting your iPad or tablet into this adjustable stand. Its rubber pads will keep your tablet safe from sliding off the counter when you spill the milk.Amazon

Meat Tenderizer

Do you really need a meat tenderizer? No, but you're a bachelor and there will come a time when going to town on a stubborn piece of beef will just make you feel better. This KitchenAid tenderizer will tackle any cut of meat.Amazon

Bartender Kit

James Bond can have his watered-down vodka martini. With this 23-piece bartender set, you’ll be crafting cocktails that your guests won’t soon forget (or you’ll be drowning your sorrows after scaring them off with that meat tenderizer). This fancy-but-affordable kit includes a 24-ounce shaker, a muddler, three liquor pourers, ice tongs, a bamboo stand AND a velvet bag - nice touch - for travel.Amazon